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This introductory plate establishes the real counterpart of Hardy's "Casterbridge," Dorchester, as the setting for the framed tales that the various passengers in Mr. Burthen's van tell the recently returned John Lackland. Since Tony Kytes, the protagonist of the first story, is also a carrier, and the headpiece contains a number of carriers' vans (right), it serves as both a headpiece to introduce all nine stories and an illustration of sorts for the first story, the most humorous of the lot.